Can a Korean be Japanese?

[Hito]

I had a discussion with another Trek geek about the Ensign Hoshi Sato character from ENTERPRISE.

I was wondering, why since being Japanese is not an integral part of the character why they could not just change her name let her be Korean. Since the actress who is playing her is a Korean woman.

Hollywood does this often, having had Latinos or whites in make-up play Native Americans, white Spaniards playing Latinos, South-Americans playing Cubans ect...

I remember a time when Native Americans in particular were upset by this. And some of my Latino friends are like :blink: when someone from another Latino group portrays someone from their group.

Is this a symptom of the media's insensitivity to minority groups?
You know the "they all look alike to me" mindset of people in the US.
Or is it not really a big deal?

[kimpossible]

Garret Wang played a Korean on Voyager. A Korean woman played Sulu's daughter in one of the movies also, if I remember correctly.

It happens all the time. I think in a role like Linda Park has, the character's personality is the defining factor rather than her ethnicity. May be different case if the character's ethnicity is of prime importance. Like a Chinese historical figure who repelled Japanese being played by someone of Japanese ethnicity.

[SunWuKong]

that's a good point. i don't know why they didn't just make the character korean. unless they're later going to reveal that she's related to sulu.

but generally i don't have a problem with the media using an actor of one asian ethnicity to play another asian ethnicity. personally i'm concerned with asian or asian american representation in the media and that asian people in the entertainment industry is getting work. i would even be happy if asian actors are asked to play characters that are necessarily ethnic but not necessarily asian. of course, the actor must be able to pass for the ethnicity he or she is going to play. getting a korean actor to play a thai character could be a bit of a stretch.

edit: actually what i would like to start seeing is the media using "asian" instead of one specific asian ethnicity to identify an asian character. that would definitely help with asian american solidarity.



<!--EDIT|SunWuKung|Oct 11 2002, 03:07 PM-->

[angel nympho]

Well, generally, the way I see it... it's more a factor of a name not an ethnicity. Since her ethnicity isn't really important to the show, her name shouldn't really matter. Like, if the character was already created before they had somebody to play her... why change it? For example, the concept of the show "Friends" was created before they had the people to play them. But Jennifer Aniston doesn't care to change the name of the Rachel character to Jennifer. You know? Since ethnicity isn't important, the name isn't really important either.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
edit: &nbsp;actually what i would like to start seeing is the media using "asian" instead of one specific asian ethnicity to identify an asian character. &nbsp;that would definitely help with asian american solidarity.
But "Asian" isn't really a nationality... it's more of a... generalization. I don't know... maybe I'm wrong.
Wait. I think I used the wrong words. *Argh* I can't talk today. Umm.. I mean, like... why identify somebody as European, when they can be identified as French, Italian, etc...



<!--EDIT|angel nympho|Oct 11 2002, 09:24 PM-->

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 04:23 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
edit: actually what i would like to start seeing is the media using "asian" instead of one specific asian ethnicity to identify an asian character. that would definitely help with asian american solidarity.
But "Asian" isn't really a nationality... it's more of a... generalization. I don't know... maybe I'm wrong.
Wait. I think I used the wrong words. *Argh* I can't talk today. Umm.. I mean, like... why identify somebody as European, when they can be identified as French, Italian, etc...
yeah i know what you mean, but i just think that identifying a character as "Asian" instead of an Asian ethnicity would help Asian Americans with having a sense of solidarity.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 09:37 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 04:23 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
edit: actually what i would like to start seeing is the media using "asian" instead of one specific asian ethnicity to identify an asian character. that would definitely help with asian american solidarity.
But "Asian" isn't really a nationality... it's more of a... generalization. I don't know... maybe I'm wrong.
Wait. I think I used the wrong words. *Argh* I can't talk today. Umm.. I mean, like... why identify somebody as European, when they can be identified as French, Italian, etc...
yeah i know what you mean, but i just think that identifying a character as "Asian" instead of an Asian ethnicity would help Asian Americans with having a sense of solidarity.
What's important about solidarity, though? I kind of like individuality...

I suppose it CAN be important at times, though.

[deez nuts]

It bothers me, but not to the point that it'll get me boiling, it's just a slight annoyance. But, at this point I'm just content that asians are getting roles etc etc.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 04:47 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 09:37 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 04:23 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
edit: actually what i would like to start seeing is the media using "asian" instead of one specific asian ethnicity to identify an asian character. that would definitely help with asian american solidarity.
But "Asian" isn't really a nationality... it's more of a... generalization. I don't know... maybe I'm wrong.
Wait. I think I used the wrong words. *Argh* I can't talk today. Umm.. I mean, like... why identify somebody as European, when they can be identified as French, Italian, etc...
yeah i know what you mean, but i just think that identifying a character as "Asian" instead of an Asian ethnicity would help Asian Americans with having a sense of solidarity.
What's important about solidarity, though? I kind of like individuality...

I suppose it CAN be important at times, though.
i guess i just feel that asian americans are too divided along ethnic lines. we face many of the same issues and we would have more of a voice if we have a better sense of solidarity.

and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.

[Shuriken]

THREE POINTS:

1. Generally speaking, an actor of Asian ethnicity ought to be able to play a character of any Asian ethnicity. I say this because (a) recognizably Asian actors have historically not been allowed to play characters of non-Asian ethnicity and (b) "Asian American" is an externally assigned racial category (replacing "Oriental") that includes people of all East Asian ethnicities. Therefore, having an Asian American actor of one ethnicity playing a character of another ethnicity (such as Linda Park as Hoshi Sato, Garrett Wang as Harry Kim, or Rick Yune as Kazuo Miyamoto) is fine by me.

The only time one might want to be ethnically specific is if the character's ethnicity becomes an important issue in the work. For example, it was rather painful to listen to Chinese American actors John Lone and Joan Chen speak their halting Japanese in The Hunted when their characters were supposed to be Japanese nationals!!!

2. How do you know that Hoshi Sato isn't Korean? There is a fairly large ethnically Korean population in Japan, and many of them have adopted Japanese names. How do you know that the character of Hoshi Sato isn't desended from them?

3. I regard calling for all characters of a particular Asian ethnicity to be portrayed only by actors of that ethnicity to be a rather extreme position — and, more importantly, I'm sure that the entertainment industry does, too. If the Asian American community were to adopt the position that only Korean actors can play Korean roles, etc., white America would regard this as ethnic hair-splitting. I'm sure that the industry would then use the extremity of this position to portray the proposition that (until the playing field is level) Asian actors should get first dibs on Asian roles as equally extreme. So, the next time that a lead Asian role is cast with a white actor and the community protests this, the industry will just roll its eyes and say, "What do you expect? After all, they think that all Korean roles should only be cast with Korean actors. There's no pleasing them."

[ikeabrat]

At the risk of veering away from the original topic... 2 points:

1) I have no problem with Asians of one nationality playing the role of another. Just as we see Irish actors play Americans, Americans playing Italians, Canadians playing French, etc etc. Nationality isn't a problem as much as we might see it in this case, as the "cross-casting" is occurring to other ethnicities and nationalities. Now if a BAD actor gets cast to play an Asian role... that's when I have a problem. :P

2) With regard to the label "Asian" being applied -- for the sake of solidarity -- to the arbitrary collection of the people formerly known as "Oriental": solidarity can only come from within. If, say, Filipino-Americans don't get along with Chinese-Americans, or Korean-Americans distrust Samoan-Americans, no amount of labelling from the mainstream culture will make us get along. And in any case, looking to external pressure or external labelling to generate a sense of unity among Asian-Americans is a bit like asking the wolf to guard the henhouse. If there is to be any source of unity or cohesive culture, it HAS to come from us, and only us. African-Americans didn't look to the mainstream culture to help them with their cultural awareness. If we fail to build a sense of community or awareness, then we have only ourselves to blame.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 10:28 PM
and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.
Well, apparently, since I'm being considered a kid on the forums.... <_<

As a "child of the country, " I, for one, think individuality is one of the more important things to promote. Why is it overrated? Would you prefer that all white people continued their notion of "all Asians are the same?" I wouldn't. I hardly think looking to the media for unification is the way to go.

[wrathfulgrape]

Greetings, Ikea Brat...(what the hell kind of a name is THAT?!?!)
:confused:
You make some good points, but I have to disagree with you on a few things...

True, we do see many actors who do the American-playing-the-Brit or the Irishman-playing-the-American....and some do it really well. But...many times this is stunt casting...sorta like an extra piece of added value for your $9 movie ticket...like Gwyneth and her way with the British accent...but in the media, this is a point that is made...we KNOW that Gwyneth isn't a Brit...we KNOW that she is American and this is clearly defined as an acting challenge...
To my knowledge, there has never been an article, interview, sound byte, anything where you hear a Korean playing a Japanese person (or whatever combo) saying "yeah..that was a total challenge for me as a Korean to play this Japanese character"

Why is that? It's because mainstream America really doesn't think there is any difference amongst the cultures that make up Asian America.

I think there is nothing wrong with cross casting...but what I do find wrong is if the cross casting is not recognized. For example, I would have found it really interesting if the cast of Joy Luck Club was asked if it was difficult to play such Chinese roles and if they had to do research on the history...but of course weren't asked, so the cast (at least for me), came off as a let's-find-every-single-AA-actress-and-throw-her-in-this-movie. But then again...Joy Luck Club..argh...don't get me started on my hate of Amy Tan.

I think that America has to first recognize WHAT being Asian American means...that it doesn't mean that we are just one all-look-same face, but instead we are many different and vital parts that make up a whole culture....

:dance:

[ikeabrat]

wrathful grape:

You make a good point. But I find it highly doubtful that the casting of Ralph Fiennes as an American serial killer was "stunt" casting ("wow, look how well he does the American accent!"). In most cases of casting, it's all about what actor/actress fills the role best (except Sophia Coppola in Godfather 3... but that's another discussion).

And in any case, we should not let our ethnic sensitivities blind us to the real issue here -- Asians and Asian-Americans as PERFORMERS. Wouldn't you much prefer to be asked as an actor, "Was it challenging for you to play a divorced mother of three trying to overcome her alcoholism?", rather than, "Was it challenging for you to play a Japanese woman even though you're Korean?". Ironically, the more we concentrate on the nationality of the actor, the more the focus is brought on the race of the actor rather than their skills -- and the quality of the role.

Regarding your point about "cross casting" being okay if one recognizes the cross casting.... OK, I used to have a problem with some Japanese person being cast in a Chinese role. But then I realized, wait a minute, I can't even tell anymore! I'm Chinese-American, but I often get mistaken for Korean-American, or even Japanese-American... BY OTHER ASIAN-AMERICANS. So who are we to say that an actor playing a Korean role must BE Korean, as well as "look" Korean?

And if you think I'm just bad at recognizing nationalities, you have to try it yourself at http://www.alllooksame.com.

Finally, as to your point about "America has to first recognize WHAT being Asian American means" -- I'm sorry, but if even WE don't know what the hell being Asian-American means, how is anyone else going to know? Identity is created, not bestowed.



<!--EDIT|ikeabrat|Oct 12 2002, 02:04 AM-->

[wrathfulgrape]

Originally posted by ikeabrat@Oct 12 2002, 01:52 AM
Regarding your point about "cross casting" being okay if one recognizes the cross casting.... OK, I used to have a problem with some Japanese person being cast in a Chinese role. But then I realized, wait a minute, I can't even tell anymore! I'm Chinese-American, but I often get mistaken for Korean-American, or even Japanese-American... BY OTHER ASIAN-AMERICANS. So who are we to say that an actor playing a Korean role must BE Korean, as well as "look" Korean?
So, Ikea Brat...we meet again.
:blink:

I am quoting one paragraph in particular from your response.

Let me ask you...if you identify yourself as Chinese American, would it not bother you if everybody looked at you and thought you were Japanese or Korean? I mean, these cultures, despite the alllookssame physical resemblances, are very different. Yes, there are similarities, but the differences are most definitely there. It is what makes each culture special and unique...and it is not that I have anything against other cultures..I can certainly appreciate them, but I have definite ideas on how to identify myself.

If there were a greater pool to draw from, perhaps it would be different. I was reading an article about the casting of Memoirs of a Geisha (which I think is in development hell right now, but that's besides the point) and all of the actresses being considered for the role were Chinese (Lucy Liu and Maggie Cheung were in the leads). Now, with a book that was as "Japanese" as that, would it not add realism to cast Japanese or Japanese American actresses? It always bothered me alot when I see a movie or a television show whenever the dialog called for a foreign word to be spoken and it was all mispronounced. Call me anal, but that is a sore point for me...

Yes, a good performance is always something to marvel at, but I think that the problem here is that there are just not enough actors and actresses to fill these roles. It would be very nice to have an option instead of jamming square pegs into the round holes just because both the hole and the pegs are yellow.

AND YOU CAN TAKE *THAT* TO THE BANK!
:dance:

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by wrathfulgrape@Oct 13 2002, 12:43 AM
If there were a greater pool to draw from, perhaps it would be different. I was reading an article about the casting of Memoirs of a Geisha (which I think is in development hell right now, but that's besides the point) and all of the actresses being considered for the role were Chinese (Lucy Liu and Maggie Cheung were in the leads). Now, with a book that was as "Japanese" as that, would it not add realism to cast Japanese or Japanese American actresses? It always bothered me alot when I see a movie or a television show whenever the dialog called for a foreign word to be spoken and it was all mispronounced. Call me anal, but that is a sore point for me...
Well, if it's offensive to you to see a Chinese actress play a Japanese role, tell me if you can think of some good Japanese actresses to fill the role instead? Ones that are up to the talent caliber of Lucy Liu and Maggie Cheung (well, I'm assuming Cheung is up to par, because I've never seen her act)... I'm just happy that there are Asian faces out there, I don't care enough to be nitpicky. I mean, until there's really THAT many Asians out there for casters to choose from, I won't be upset by this kind of thing. I personally think that one's talent is more important than their ethnicity.. and if the best actor for the role happens to be of a different ethnicity, but not so different that they can't play the part, then it should be given tho whoever deserves it.

[wrathfulgrape]

I love that one eyed green face!

Yes, it is nice to see Asian faces out there, and perhaps that is a step in the right direction, in fact it is.
But the point I am trying to make is that there aren't enough actors out there to fill these roles. And hopefully one day there will be.

I read the book and no I can't think of a Japanese actress out there who could fill these roles...don't you think that is kind of sad? Perhaps if there were more opportunities for Asian actors out there then this would not be the case. It just seems to me to be a lazy susan of rotating the same actresses over and over. Kind of like if you need an old Chinese man, the first guy you would go to is James Hong...

Maggie Cheung *is* an amazing actress, by the way...check out "In the Mood for Love" for one of her most recent great performances...

Sigh...if Machiko Kyo (from "Rashomon") were still young, I would love to see her in the role of Hatsumomo!

:dance:

[kimpossible]

Hahaha. It won't matter if a Chinese actress plays the role in Memoirs of a Geisha. Not one bit.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 10:28 PM
and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.
Well, apparently, since I'm being considered a kid on the forums.... <_<

As a "child of the country, " I, for one, think individuality is one of the more important things to promote. Why is it overrated? Would you prefer that all white people continued their notion of "all Asians are the same?" I wouldn't. I hardly think looking to the media for unification is the way to go.
oh, i wasn't labelling you as a child with that comment. but no doubt when you were a child, you grew up with an american emphasis on individuality.

i just think that american society and media puts too much emphasis on individuality and not enough on community, too much on freedom and not enough on responsibility. an over-emphasis on individuality, together with america's consumerist culture, just leaves many children and teenagers feeling rootless and unsure of "who they are". too much of a sense of freedom makes kids think they are more invincible than they really are. not that i don't think a sense of individuality is important, i just think it's over-emphasized.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 12 2002, 07:55 PM
well, I'm assuming Cheung is up to par, because I've never seen her act
oh she's up to par and way better than lucy liu.

B)

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 03:26 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 10:28 PM
and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.
Well, apparently, since I'm being considered a kid on the forums.... <_<

As a "child of the country, " I, for one, think individuality is one of the more important things to promote. Why is it overrated? Would you prefer that all white people continued their notion of "all Asians are the same?" I wouldn't. I hardly think looking to the media for unification is the way to go.
oh, i wasn't labelling you as a child with that comment. but no doubt when you were a child, you grew up with an american emphasis on individuality.

i just think that american society and media puts too much emphasis on individuality and not enough on community, too much on freedom and not enough on responsibility. an over-emphasis on individuality, together with america's consumerist culture, just leaves many children and teenagers feeling rootless and unsure of "who they are". too much of a sense of freedom makes kids think they are more invincible than they really are. not that i don't think a sense of individuality is important, i just think it's over-emphasized.
I think community was very emphasized, as well. I was encouraged to be an active member of my community, but to voice my own opinions. Don't be a member of community just to be a lemming. You can't contribute to community unless you have an individual perspective.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 14 2002, 01:52 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 03:26 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 10:28 PM
and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.
Well, apparently, since I'm being considered a kid on the forums.... <_<

As a "child of the country, " I, for one, think individuality is one of the more important things to promote. Why is it overrated? Would you prefer that all white people continued their notion of "all Asians are the same?" I wouldn't. I hardly think looking to the media for unification is the way to go.
oh, i wasn't labelling you as a child with that comment. but no doubt when you were a child, you grew up with an american emphasis on individuality.

i just think that american society and media puts too much emphasis on individuality and not enough on community, too much on freedom and not enough on responsibility. an over-emphasis on individuality, together with america's consumerist culture, just leaves many children and teenagers feeling rootless and unsure of "who they are". too much of a sense of freedom makes kids think they are more invincible than they really are. not that i don't think a sense of individuality is important, i just think it's over-emphasized.
I think community was very emphasized, as well. I was encouraged to be an active member of my community, but to voice my own opinions. Don't be a member of community just to be a lemming. You can't contribute to community unless you have an individual perspective.
but i think you really don't have anything to compare american society with. as someone who has experience living in asia as well as america, i just feel that individuality is entirely over-emphasized in america. you are always encouraged to do what is good for yourself, to "be yourself" - whatever that means, etc etc. there's really not too much emphasis on doing things for your community, and listening to your parents, etc etc. heck, listening to your parents would be the unpopular thing to do in america.

and i think the "be yourself" clause is really dumb. that pretty much means to me that a person should be stubborn. what's wrong with changing or reinventing yourself? and if you change, you'll still be "yourself". it just sounds dumb to me.

[angel nympho]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 07:13 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 14 2002, 01:52 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 03:26 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 10:28 PM
and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.
Well, apparently, since I'm being considered a kid on the forums.... <_<

As a "child of the country, " I, for one, think individuality is one of the more important things to promote. Why is it overrated? Would you prefer that all white people continued their notion of "all Asians are the same?" I wouldn't. I hardly think looking to the media for unification is the way to go.
oh, i wasn't labelling you as a child with that comment. but no doubt when you were a child, you grew up with an american emphasis on individuality.

i just think that american society and media puts too much emphasis on individuality and not enough on community, too much on freedom and not enough on responsibility. an over-emphasis on individuality, together with america's consumerist culture, just leaves many children and teenagers feeling rootless and unsure of "who they are". too much of a sense of freedom makes kids think they are more invincible than they really are. not that i don't think a sense of individuality is important, i just think it's over-emphasized.
I think community was very emphasized, as well. I was encouraged to be an active member of my community, but to voice my own opinions. Don't be a member of community just to be a lemming. You can't contribute to community unless you have an individual perspective.
but i think you really don't have anything to compare american society with. as someone who has experience living in asia as well as america, i just feel that individuality is entirely over-emphasized in america. you are always encouraged to do what is good for yourself, to "be yourself" - whatever that means, etc etc. there's really not too much emphasis on doing things for your community, and listening to your parents, etc etc. heck, listening to your parents would be the unpopular thing to do in america.

and i think the "be yourself" clause is really dumb. that pretty much means to me that a person should be stubborn. what's wrong with changing or reinventing yourself? and if you change, you'll still be "yourself". it just sounds dumb to me.
I don't know what "be yourself" comment you're talking about, then. As far as I know, all "be yourself" means is don't copy other people and do things for your own reasons. If you watch children's programming these days, you'll notice that promotions for individuality go hand in hand with promotions for being a part of community. Especially in light of the 9-11 tragedy, community has become a highly valued aspect of our society. Watch prime time tv, "teenager's" programming, everything is about understanding that your parents are out to help you.

Maybe individuality is over-emphasized compared to Asian countries, in your opinion. I, on the other hand, would say that it's not emphasized enough in Asian countries. There's beauty in our differences. I think there's nothing wrong with America wanting to embrace those differences.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 14 2002, 02:20 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 07:13 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 14 2002, 01:52 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 03:26 PM
Originally posted by angel nympho@Oct 11 2002, 08:05 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 11 2002, 10:28 PM
and anyway, i think that individuality is overrated and over-promoted to our children in this country.
Well, apparently, since I'm being considered a kid on the forums.... <_<

As a "child of the country, " I, for one, think individuality is one of the more important things to promote. Why is it overrated? Would you prefer that all white people continued their notion of "all Asians are the same?" I wouldn't. I hardly think looking to the media for unification is the way to go.
oh, i wasn't labelling you as a child with that comment. but no doubt when you were a child, you grew up with an american emphasis on individuality.

i just think that american society and media puts too much emphasis on individuality and not enough on community, too much on freedom and not enough on responsibility. an over-emphasis on individuality, together with america's consumerist culture, just leaves many children and teenagers feeling rootless and unsure of "who they are". too much of a sense of freedom makes kids think they are more invincible than they really are. not that i don't think a sense of individuality is important, i just think it's over-emphasized.
I think community was very emphasized, as well. I was encouraged to be an active member of my community, but to voice my own opinions. Don't be a member of community just to be a lemming. You can't contribute to community unless you have an individual perspective.
but i think you really don't have anything to compare american society with. as someone who has experience living in asia as well as america, i just feel that individuality is entirely over-emphasized in america. you are always encouraged to do what is good for yourself, to "be yourself" - whatever that means, etc etc. there's really not too much emphasis on doing things for your community, and listening to your parents, etc etc. heck, listening to your parents would be the unpopular thing to do in america.

and i think the "be yourself" clause is really dumb. that pretty much means to me that a person should be stubborn. what's wrong with changing or reinventing yourself? and if you change, you'll still be "yourself". it just sounds dumb to me.
I don't know what "be yourself" comment you're talking about, then. As far as I know, all "be yourself" means is don't copy other people and do things for your own reasons. If you watch children's programming these days, you'll notice that promotions for individuality go hand in hand with promotions for being a part of community. Especially in light of the 9-11 tragedy, community has become a highly valued aspect of our society. Watch prime time tv, "teenager's" programming, everything is about understanding that your parents are out to help you.

Maybe individuality is over-emphasized compared to Asian countries, in your opinion. I, on the other hand, would say that it's not emphasized enough in Asian countries. There's beauty in our differences. I think there's nothing wrong with America wanting to embrace those differences.
actually i conversely think that asian countries don't promote enough individuality. i think we'll just have to agree to disagree, but i think all this "be yourself" rhetoric is just a bunch of bullshit. if you want kids to "be themselves", then why even bother telling them to "be yourself". hey why not just let them be and don't tell them any of that stuff. maybe a particular person is a natural copy-cat or she is naturally inclined to reinvent herself. but then comes along all this "be yourself" bullshit and she feels pressured to be stubbornly "herself" and not change. i mean there's so much emphasis on individuality that the american public doesn't even know what the hell that means anymore. it's become so much rhetoric that you just tell children, but there's no substance behind it.



<!--EDIT|SunWuKung|Oct 14 2002, 02:27 PM-->

[SunWuKong]

hahhahhah not to pick on ChairmanMah or anything, but here's a perfectly good example of "be yourself". read his post on this thread (http://forums.yellowworld.org/index.php?act=ST&f=37&t=2677&s=30dcf39e3b2d869c7fafd434ba600332).

[ChairmanMah]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Oct 14 2002, 08:12 PM
hahhahhah not to pick on ChairmanMah or anything, but here's a perfectly good example of "be yourself". read his post on this thread (http://forums.yellowworld.org/index.php?act=ST&f=37&t=2677&s=30dcf39e3b2d869c7fafd434ba600332).
like you said you'll still be yourself whatever you do. do it the best way you know how i guess. i can be quite care free at times. :lol:

[ChairmanMah]

i've been told that i'm really real. whatever that means.

i guess, you shouldn't fake or front.